POLICE are searching for a hooded man in the hunt for the killer of a 90-year-old widow who was attacked in her home in North Wales.

Elsie Hughes died in hospital early on Friday after she was found with facial injuries by her daughter and son-in-law in Abermorddu near Wrexham on Thursday.

Last night, North Wales Police appealed for a man spotted in the village the night she was attacked to come forward.

He was seen in the Harwarden Road area on Thursday between 8.30pm and 8.45pm.

Witnesses saw him close to Mrs Hughes' home at 8.30pm, walking towards the railway station and between an Indian restaurant and Hope School towards Hope village. He is of medium build and was also wearing a light-coloured hooded jumper, dark tracksuit bottoms and white trainers. He was carrying a Spar carrier bag.

Mrs Hughes, known locally as Auntie Elsie, had been the victim of a distraction burglary on August 15.

Police said that crime may be linked to her "savage murder" but it is just one line of inquiry.

Her daughter Jean Griffiths and son Jeffrey Hughes issued a statement saying their mother was "well-liked" and respected within the community and had no enemies.

"No words can express the shock and sadness that we as a family feel at this time," they said.

Police forensic teams are still at the home of the 90-year-old.

The man leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Ross Duffield said: "There is a strong possibility the sightings could be of the same individual.

"Anyone who believes they saw this person in the Abermorddu, Caergwrle or Cefnybedd areas of Wrexham between 7pm and 10pm on Thursday evening should contact us immediately."